UAV Processor Virtualization for Reliable Multi-OS Flight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional control systems for unmanned vehicles, such as UAVs, face challenges with limited processing capability, high weight, and space requirements, as well as mechanical and electrical failures due to environmental stresses, which affect reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A processing system for unmanned vehicles is introduced, featuring a heterogeneous processing architecture with multiple partitioned operating environments, including a first and second processing unit, a virtualization layer, and a programmable logic array, enabling integrated vehicle and mission management control through a compact and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional control systems with separate hardware components are used for each vehicle control system and mission control system, then system reliability is maintained through redundancy, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control systems (vehicle control system and mission control system) into a single integrated control system with a unified processor that executes both vehicle control code and mission control code. This consolidation reduces the number of separate hardware components while maintaining system reliability through virtualization and code separation within the unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified processor is designed to perform multiple functions by executing different code segments - it can function as a vehicle control processor when executing vehicle control code and as a mission control processor when executing mission control code. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate processors for each control function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional control systems with separate hardware components are used for each vehicle control system and mission control system, then functional separation is maintained, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single unified control system that resides in one location on the unmanned vehicle. This consolidation significantly reduces the weight and space requirements compared to having separate distributed control systems, while maintaining functional separation through software-based isolation and code partitioning.
3Productivity
If more processing power is provided to handle multiple control functions, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified processor is designed with sufficient processing capability to handle both vehicle control functions and mission control functions simultaneously through time-multiplexed execution and virtualization. This single multi-functional processor provides the needed processing power without requiring multiple separate processing units, thereby reducing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system is segmented into distinct code segments (vehicle control code and mission control code) that are executed in a structured manner. This code-level segmentation allows the processor to dedicate specific time slots and resources to different control functions, providing high processing capability for each function without requiring separate hardware for each.
Data Source
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AI summary
A processing system for an unmanned vehicle (UV) such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The processing system comprises a first processing unit of an integrated circuit and a second processing unit of the integrated circuit. The processing system comprises a first operating system 802 provisioned using the first processing unit. The first operating system 802 is configured to execute a first vehicle control process. The processing system comprises a virtualization layer 807 configured using at least the second processing unit, and a second operating system 836 provisioned using the virtualization layer 807. The second operating system 836, 844 is configured to execute a second vehicle control process.